USPTO Allows Additional E-Mail Addresses to Receive Courtesy Trademark Correspondence | Practical Law

USPTO Allows Additional E-Mail Addresses to Receive Courtesy Trademark Correspondence | Practical Law

The USPTO has begun allowing more than one e-mail address to receive duplicate courtesy copies of USPTO trademark correspondence, in addition to the single official correspondence e-mail address.

USPTO Allows Additional E-Mail Addresses to Receive Courtesy Trademark Correspondence

by PLC Intellectual Property & Technology
Published on 08 Dec 2011 • USA (National/Federal)
The USPTO has begun allowing more than one e-mail address to receive duplicate courtesy copies of USPTO trademark correspondence, in addition to the single official correspondence e-mail address.
On December 2, 2011, the USPTO published a notice announcing that it now allows more than one e-mail address to receive duplicate courtesy copies of USPTO trademark correspondence, in addition to the single official correspondence e-mail address. This change intends to make it easier for trademark applicants and registrants to manage communications with the USPTO. The new policy became effective on November 19, 2011.
Before this change, applicants could submit only one e-mail address for USPTO actions, notices or other correspondence on an application or registration. Under the new approach:
  • The USPTO now allows the designation of one primary e-mail address for trademark correspondence and up to four secondary e-mail addresses for duplicate courtesy copies.
  • Providing additional e-mail addresses is optional.
  • Additional addresses may be provided through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) change of correspondence address form for any current applications or registrations where e-mail communication has been authorized.
Notably, the USPTO will treat the primary address differently from secondary addresses. If an e-mail sent to the primary address is returned as undeliverable, the USPTO will send a paper copy to the correspondence address of record. However, the USPTO will not attempt to resend correspondence if a courtesy e-mail is returned as undeliverable.